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Tests & Procedures : Lab Tests

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Does this test have other names?

Bone marrow exam

What is this test?

This is a two-part test that looks at the blood cells in a sample of bone marrow, the spongy tissue within certain bones. This test may help your doctor diagnose or monitor a blood disease or health condition affecting your marrow.

Your bone marrow has a liquid consistency and also a solid part. Aspiration uses a needle to remove a sample of the liquid part of bone marrow. Biopsy uses a larger needle to remove a small amount of bone with its marrow.

Part of the job of bone marrow is to make blood cells. This test can find out how well your bone marrow is working. This test is also done to find some types of cancer.

Why do I need this test?

You might have this test if your doctor wants to find out the health of your bone marrow or to check on how well your marrow is making blood cells.

You may have an aspiration to check for:

The health of your bone marrow for a transplant

Acute leukemia

Multiple myeloma

In some situations, bone marrow aspiration is used to confirm chromosome disorders in newborns.

You may have an aspiration followed by a biopsy if you could have:

Bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection

Unexplained anemia, leucopenia, or thrombocytopenia

Metastatic cancer or many other diseases

What other tests might I have along with this test?

Your doctor may also order these tests:

Complete blood count, or CBC

Reticulocyte count to find out your red blood cell survival rate

What do my test results mean?

Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your health care provider.

The lab will look at different aspects of your bone marrow to help find certain diseases or conditions. These aspects include:

Type and number of blood cells

Any abnormalities in the size, shape, or look of cells

Level of iron in the bone marrow

Abnormal amount of young white blood cells, called blasts

Any chromosomal abnormalities

Depending on what is seen, your results may mean you have an infection, a blood disease, leukemia, or cancer that has spread to the bone marrow from another site.

If your results are negative, your doctor may order other tests to diagnose your condition.

How is this test done?

These tests require a sample of bone marrow. A number of sites on your body can be used for marrow aspiration, but the hip bone is a common spot. You will likely lie down flat on an exam table. your doctor will numb the area of the test. You may feel a slight prick from the needle that the doctor uses to give the numbing agent.

Does this test pose any risks?

It's not possible to numb the bone, so you may feel slight pain during the procedure. But you shouldn't feel any pain afterward. Risks from a bone marrow test are rare, but you could have bleeding or an infection.

What might affect my test results?

Other factors aren't likely to affect your results.

How do I get ready for this test?

Tell your doctor if you take aspirin or have any allergies. In addition, be sure to tell our doctor if you are pregnant, take any "blood thinning" medications, or have a history of bleeding problems.

Be sure your doctor knows about all other medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illicit drugs you may use.